Emperor Wandai, in a self-proclaimed act of compassion, rescheduled the prefectural examination to the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival. He completely failed to consider that with only a single day separating the two, no one would have the heart to celebrate.
In the various counties of the Northern Pass, all the students eligible for the examination had arrived in Yeyang several days early. Prices in the city's teahouses, restaurants, inns, and hotels soared overnight.
Song Jing, afraid that Village Chief Meng and the clan elders would actually send him off with a clamor of gongs and drums, bid farewell to Mrs. Meng before dawn.
Although he also wanted to say goodbye to Ji Huan, and had even reached her front door, he ultimately decided not to knock.
'She must be fast asleep, lost in sweet dreams. Why should I disturb her and make her worry?'
After standing there silently for a moment, he turned and stepped into the boundless night.
